Tape serving machine



April 6, 1965 E. E. SHARPE TAPE SERVING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 2, 19 g Rw m U Nh 7. m nu m W m h s a 9 ORN EYS.

April 6, 1965 E. E. SHARPE TAPE SERVING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 2, 1962 R mm %m N h m N W5 N l v E u 7.

A ril 6, 1965 E. E. SHARPE TAPE SERVING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 2, 1962 INVENTOR. Everett E .Shurpe QSZMSIQW www- ATTORN EYS p 6, 1965 E. E. SHARPE 3,176,563

TAPE SERVING MACHINE Filed Feb. 2, 1962 m 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 POWER SWITCH FEED souz wom *\QXDJ United States Patent O 3,176,563 TAPE snnvnuc MAC Everett E. Sharpe, Shelton, Comm, assignor to Better Packages, Incorporated, a corporation of New York Filed Feb; 2, 1962, Ser. No. 170,719 8 Claims. (Cl. 83-241) This invention relates to machines for serving strip material and is especially adapted to the dispensing of gummed package sealing tape in measured lengths.

In U.S. Patent Number 2,405,790 is shown a machine for this purpose characterized by tape feeding means so organized that when a measured strip of tape is removed from the machine, the machine is automatically set in motion to feed a second measured strip. A principal featur of the present invention relates to an improved construction for accomplishing this result. A simplified and more rapidly operating machine is provided in which the mechanism resets itself, immediately after a strip has been measured and cut, in a condition to instantly start delivery of another strip upon removal of the strip already cut. The present invention secures all of the advantages of the machine of the patent including particularly that of supporting the cut, measured and moistened strip until it is ready to be applied to the article to be sealed so as to permit a period of conditioning to allow the gum to be come softened for most effective use, while the previous strip is being applied.

The machine of the present invention also preferably is provided with switch means in addition to the automatic control whereby any length of strip may be delivered by manual operation, up to the maximum length of the strip for which the machine has been adjusted.

Previous machines for feeding successive strips of tape have utilized the principle of a feeler member supported by the previously fed and severed strip which is released so as to initiate the feed of a new length of tape when the previously fed length is withdrawn from contact with the feeler member. One difficulty with such machines, however, has been that the advance of the end of the tape being fed was relied upon to set the feeler member in position in contact with the surface of the tape so that it would be released when the length of tape was withdrawn from the machine. An objection was particularly noticeable in the case of thin or relatively soft tapes where the advancing end of the tape was sometimes unable to perform its function of lifting and setting the feeler memher. In accordance with the present invention, positive means are provided for lifting the feeler member out of the path of the advancing tape so as to avoid the possibility of fouling themachine in case the tape should yield or buckle when encountering the feeler member. After the tape has been fed the feeler member is set into position in which it contacts the end of the fed strip so that it is ready to function when such strip is withdrawn from the machine.

The objects of the invention include the provision of an improved and simplified tape dispensing machine for delivering measured lengths of tape, removal of one length of tape initiating the feed of the next length. Another object is the provision of improved tape dispensing instrumentalities capable of random manual operation for delivering any selected lengths of tape up to the capacity of the machine. Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention chosen to illustrate the principles thereof.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying the invention, parts of the control housing and of the main casing being broken away;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the opposite side of the 3,l?fi,53 Patented Apr. 6, 1965 machine from that shown in FIG. 1, portions of the casing being broken away and certain parts being shown in longitudinal vertical section;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the machine, parts being broken away and omitted;

FIG. 4 is a schematic wiring diagram of the machine;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the feeler element and actuating means therefor and the control switch and its actuating elements.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the machine comprises a casing having a compartment in which is mounted a roll 12 of gummed tape 13. The tape 13 is drawn from the roll 12 over suitable guide rollers between a pair of feed rolls 14 and 16, at least one of which is driven. In the construction shown the roll 16 is driven from an electric motor 17 by means of a chain 18. The roll 14 is mounted on a stud 21 carried by an arm which swings about a shaft 22 so as to move the roll into contact with the tape and press the same against the feed roll 16 and cause feeding of the tape. The arm 20 is actuated by a lever 24 which is pulled down by a link 26 connected to the armature of a solenoid 28 which is energized whenever tape is to be fed. The lever 24 forms part of a yoke 30 which is pivoted to swing on a shaft 32 and which transmits movement to the arm 20 through connections including a compression spring 27. The yoke 30 carries a movable knife 34 which co-acts with a fixed blade 36 to sever the tape. When the solenoid 23 is energized, the yoke and movable knife 34 are moved to their uppermost position where the knife is out of the path of the tape leaving the feed rolls. When the solenoid is deenergized, the yoke 30 carrying the knife is instantly drawn down by the action of a spring 38 connected to the yoke, thereby severing the piece of tape which has previously been fed. The action of the spring, of course, also moves the roll 14 out of contact with the tape so that feed is instantly stopped. Ordinarily the feed motor is stopped at the same time the solenoid is deenergized but this is not essential as the'separation of the feed rolls results in an instant stoppage of the tape feed.

In the particular construction illustrated the machine is intended for the delivering of gummed package-sealing tape which requires moistening before use. In such a machine a moistening couple is provided which in the example shown includes an inverted brush 40 mounted in a water reservoir 42. Above the brush is a pivoted pressure plate 44 and as the tape passes between the pressure plate and the brush it is moistened. Furthermore, the strip which has been cut off will remain suspended by its rear end between the pressure plate and the brush until it is manually withdrawn.

In the construction shown the feeding of each piece of tape is automatically initiated by the withdrawal of the previous piece of tape. For this purpose a feeler mechanism is providedwhich prevents the feed of tape so long as the previously fed strip is supported in the machine. When the strip is withdrawn, the feeler mechanism senses such withdrawal and initiates the next feeding operation. The actual feeler or contact element is a finger 5%) which is mounted on a block 52 pivoted on the shaft 54 on which the feed roll 16 is mounted. The end of the finger is bent downward to provide a contact end 56 which will rest upon the tape strip 13. In the construction of the present machine, the finger 50 is not lifted by contact of the end 56 with the tape but means are provided for positively raising the finger out of the path of the tape and then at the proper time lowering it until the end 56 rests on the tape and is supported by it until the piece of tape is withdrawn from the machine.

Various means for positively lifting the finger out of the path of the tape may be provided but a very simple construction is shown in which the pivoted block 52 carries a lifting rod 58 which is adapted to be engaged by the top of the knife 34. As pointed out above, the yoke 39 is moved up to a position in which the knife 34 is out of the path of the tape by the energization of the solenoid 28. This occurs at the instant 'that the feed of the tape starts so that when the solenoid is energized to lift the knife and start the feed of tape, the finger 50 is also moved up so as to hold the finger end 56 out of the path of the tape. The feed of tape now continues Without obstruction until the length of tape for which the machine has at the time been set to deliver, has been delivered. The circuit through the solenoid is now broken by the measurement and control means to be described. The knife is thereupon drawn down forcibly by its spring 38 severing the tape. The support of the knife is thus withdrawn fromunder the support rod 58 and the block 52 is'drawn down so that the finger end 56 contacts the rear end of the severed section of tape and is supported thereby until the severed and moistened piece of tape is manually withdrawn from the machine.

Measurement and control means tion material, neoprene being preferred. The friction wheel is fixed to a gear 66 which is driven by a pinion 68 on the end of the shaft 54 on which the feedroller 16 is fixed. Every time the feed rollers grip the tape so. that the tape is advanced, the friction wheel 64 is drawn into contactwith the periphery of the disc 60 so as to advance the same proportionally to the feed of the tape. Owing to the relatively small diameter of the friction wheel 64 and to the reduction gears 66, 68, the disc 60 isrotated A at a low rate so that less than onerevolution of the disc 60 will be accomplished while a piece of tape of the maximum capacity of the machine is being delivered. A clock type or other suitable spring 72 is mounted in a barrel 74 and serves to return the disc to its predetermined starting position as soon as the friction wheel 64 is lifted out of driving engagement with the disc.

The friction wheel 64 and gear 66 are rotatable on a stud 76 carried by an arm 78 pivoted on the shaft 54. On the end of the arm 78 is pivoted by a pin 79 a sleeve 80 through which passes the end of a pull rod 82 screwed into a block 84 which is pivoted to a stud 85 carried by the yoke 30 so that when the yoke and arm 20 are drawn down by the solenoid, the friction wheel 64 is engaged with the disc 60. The effective length of the rod SZ'may be varied by turning the rod by its head 86. In this. way the proper frictional engagement may be insured between the friction .wheel and the disc.

The disc 69 has a bracket fit) fixed thereto which carries a contact member 92 preferably in the form ofa double leaf spring. In the zero position of the disc this spring contacts a button 94 on a resettable switch .96 which is mounted in fixed position one bracket 93 on a portion of. the casing of the machine. The length of tape fed is determined by the arc of travel of the disc 66 and contact members 92 before the contact member 92 reaches the button 94 on the switch. This are can be adjusted by the adjustment of a backstop limiting the movement of the contact member 92 away from the switch 96. The back stop is shown at 169 and is engaged by. bracket lilZ fixed to the disc 6% The back stop may be provided with a cushion such as a rubber cup if desired. The back stop is mounted on a bracket 1% fixed to a scalecarrying disc 194 rotatably carried on thearbor 62 and providedwith length indicia 10 6. Thefscale disc 164 i may be locked in any suitable position of adjustment on the instrument casing thereby determining the position of the back stop 1%. Any suitable means for fixing the scale disc in its adjusted position may be utilized so long as this means is firm enough to enable the back stop to withstand the blows of the bracket 102 every time the measuring disc as is returned by its spring. 72. In the construction shown a ring 108 having a series of holes 118 therein is fixed in the outer wall'of the control housing 111 attached to the casing. Attached to the outside of the scale disc 164 is a stiff flat spring member 112 which carries one or more pins 114, three being shown. When it is desired to adjust the position of the scale disc, the outer end 115 of the spring 112 is bent out sufiiciently to withdraw the pins 114 from the holes 110 in which they may at the time be engaged, and then to move the spring 112 and disc 104 around until the desired length of tape to be delivered is indicated by the number on the scale opposite to the fixed arrow 116 on the casing. The spring 112 is then released so that the pins 114 will enter the holes corresponding with the tape length indicated. The back stop 160 is now fixed in an adjusted position which will permit the measuring disc 60 to move back so that when the next feed is started, the are through which the measuring disc and contact member 92 will have to move before the contact member reaches the switch button 94 will result in feeding of the length of tape indicated by the scale.

In the previous machines employing tape contact feeler fingers, the weight of the parts acting gravitationally has been relied upon to set the machine in motion for delivery of the next feed of tape. In the present invention,*the

forces of gravity also act in the desired direction to assist in the initiation of the feeding operation but are prefer ably supplemented by more positive means such asjthe tension spring 120 which is connected at one end to a pin 122 projecting laterally from the block 52rand is anchored to a flange 124 on the bracket 98 fixed to the frame. This spring tends to positively draw the block 52 in a downward direction as soon as the support of the knife, 34 is removed from under the lifter rod 58.- This support is not withdrawn until the feed of tape has ceased and the tape has been severed. The finger end 56 therefore does not come in contact with the moving tape but merely rests upon the stationary end of the severed piece of tape which is suspended by the moistening couple. There is thus no danger of the end of the moving tape being distorted by contacts with the finger end. 7 V

The transverse rod 122 also carries a link 126 on which is a block 128 into which screws the threaded end 130 of rod 132. The screw threaded end of the rod screws through a lock nut 134 bearing against the lower wall of the block by means of which the rod 132 may be locked in longitudinal adjustment. The lower end of the rod 132 engages a pad 136.-in the switch 96 which is opposed to' the button 94 on the underside of the switch. Whenthe button is pushed up by the contact392 it moves the switch in one direction so as to open or close the switch,

as the case may be, depending upon the circuitry used,

engagement of friction wheel 64 therewith. The tape is now fed until the contact 92 engages the button 94 and resets the switch 96 so as to-break the circuit and deenergize the solenoidand motor. Feed now stops, and'the' tape is cut off by the spring-actuated knife, the end of the tape being suspended between the brush and pressure plate. When the feed stops, the friction roller releases the measuring wheel 60 which is returned by its spring 72 until the bracket 102 engages the stop 1%. The machine now remains in this condition until the piece of tape is withdrawn, when another cycle is started.

Where the machine is to be used merely for feeding a large number of pieces of tape of a particular length as fixed by the setting of the adjusting spring 112, no further mechanism is required. However, it is frequently desirable to feed manually pieces of tape of different lengths within the capacity of the machine, and in some instances, to feed the length of tape for which the machine may at the time be adjusted by manual operation instead of by an operation initiated by withdrawal of the previously fed strip of tape. Both of these alternative modes of operation may be secured by simple changes in the circuitry and switches controlling the operation of the tapefeeding means and cutter.

FIG. 4 is a wiring diagram showing the necessary circuitry for accomplishing the three alternative modes of operation mentioned. The leads from the power circuit are shown at 150 and 152. The motor and solenoid circuit is controlled by the movable contact 154 of a control and holding relay 156 which engages the stationary contacts 158 in the circuit. When the relay is energized its armature 160 is drawn down, closing the circuit and energizing the motor and feed solenoid to feed tape. The relay has a second movable contact 162 which cooperates with the fixed contacts 164 in a holding circuit including conductors 166 and 182. Relay contacts 154 and 162 are normally open but are closed by energization of the relay coil 168 and relay circuit 179. In the circuit 170 is located the reset switch 96 above described. A threeposition switch 172, which may be referred to as the mode switch because it determines the mode of feed control, is connected by a conductor 174 with the power line 152. This switch 172 cooperates with two fixed contacts 176, 178 and with a blind contact or stopping point 189. When automatic or robot operation of the dispensers is desired, switch 172 is closed with contact 176, thereby establishing a circuit through the relay coil 168, which is opened or closed by actuation of the reset switch 96, as already described. When the length of tape has been fed for which the machine is at the time adjusted, the contact member 92 on the measuring disc 60 opens the reset switch and stops feed. When the fed piece of tape is withdrawn from the machine, the push rod 132 is actuated so as to start a new feed.

When it is desired to control the feed of the predetermined length of tape manually instead of automatically, the switch 172 is thrown over to the contact 178. This completes a circuit through the conductor 166, conductor 182 and the manual key switch 134 (or a foot-operated switch 186). When either the manual switch or footoperated switch is closed, the feed will be started. It will be understood that at this time there is no piece of tape in the machine holding up the finger 50 so that the reset switch 96 is closed. Closing of either the manual or foot switch under these conditions will energize the relay so as to close the contacts 154 and 158. The relay now acts as a holding relay and keeps the circuit closed until the switch 96 is opened by the measuring wheel contact member 92. It is not necessary for the operator to hold either the manual or foot switch closed because the feed circuit will be maintained until the reset switch is reopened, as decribed.

When it is desired to provide for random operation of the machine by which any length of tape may be fed, up to the maximum length for which the machine is at the time adjusted, the switch 72 is moved to the neutral or inactive position 180. The switch 96 being closed because v there is no tape in position to support the contact finger 59, operation is now controlled by the manual or foot switches 184 or 186. When one of these switches is closed, the relay is actuated to close the contacts 154 and 158 and start to feed. Immediately upon the release of the switch 184 or 186 which has been closed, the circuit through the relay is broken and consequently the feed is stopped. It is necessary to hold down the key or foot pedal until the desired length of tape has been fed. However, a piece longer than the maximum for which the machine is adjusted cannot be fed because eventually the contact 92 on the measuring wheel will open the switch 96 and stop the feed. This serves as a safety measure against over-feeding if the key were held down too long. In this condition of the machine, of course, the contacts 162 and 164 are inoperative, just as they are when the switch 172 is engaged with the contact 176 during automatic operation.

The outer surface of the pivoted pressure plate 44 is preferably coated with a material which will prevent adherence of the tape to the pressure plate or of the pressure plate to the brush at times where there is no tape between the plate and the brush. This condition obtains when the machine is stopped for any length of time. Objectionable sticking between the tape and pressure plate and brush and pressure plate is particularly likely to occur where a heated pressure plate is used. In the present instance, the pressure plate is shown as provided with a heating element 200. The use ofsuch heating element is desirable as it improves the penetration of moisture of glue on the inside of the tape and is very often useful in case the machine is used for dispensing reinforced tape in which the tape contains reinforcing fibers incorporated in a binder layer such, for instance, as a layer of asphaltic material. In such case, the use of the heated pressure plate softens the material and makes the tape easier to apply to the package or box being sealed. The use of such asphaltic reinforced tape also increases the danger of possible adherence between the pressure plate and the tape. All of such danger is, however, obviated by the coating of the pressure plate. The most satisfactory material which has so far been found for the coating is polytetrafluorethylene, commonly known under the trade name Teflon. Other substances having similar properties to polytetrafiuorethylene may be utilized, such as some kinds of silicone resins, for instance, Dow Corning Co. silicone resin N0.R671, although the polytetrafluorethylene compound has been found more satisfactory. This compound'not only prevents adhesion but is very tough and Wear-resistant.

I claim:

1. In a machine for dispensing strip material in measured lengths, intermittently acting strip dispensing means, a feeler element for contacting the strip, a knife for severing the strip material movable in one direction to contact said feeler element and move it out of the strippath prior to the feeding of a new length of strip, said'knife being movable in an opposite direction out of contact with said feeler element to permit it to come into contact with a piece of strip after it has been fed and before it is withdrawn from the machine, and means actuated by movement of the feeler element when the piece of strip which it has contacted is removed from the dispenser for initiating the feed of another length of strip and for moving said knife.

2. In a machine for dispensing strip material in measured lengths, intermittently acting strip dispensing means, a movable cutter for cutting off thefed piece of strip, a feeler element for contacting the strip, said cutter being movable through a path to contact the feeler element and move it out of the strip .path prior to the feeding of a new length of strip, said cutter being movable in an opposite direction for cutting the strip material and for permitting the feeler element to come into contact with a piece of strip after it has been fed and cut oif and before it is withdrawn from the machine, and means' actuated by movement of the feeler element when the piece of strip which it has contacted is removed from the dispenser for initiating the feed of'another length of strip.

3. In a machine for dispensing strip material in measured lengths, intermittently acting strip dispensing means, cutter means movable for cutting ott the measured length of strip after it has been fed, electrical means including a resettable switch for starting and stopping the strip dispensing means and for causing actuation of said cutter means at the end of each dispensing operation, a feeler element, means supporting said feeler element disposed to be contacted by the cutter means and displaced for moving'the feeler element out of the strip path while the strip is being fed, said cutter means permitting the feeler element to move into contact with the fed strip before thetsame has been withdrawn from the machine when said cutter means is moved in a direction for cutting the strip material, withdrawal of the strip from the machine permitting further movement of said feeler element, connections from said feeler element to said resettable switch for actuating the same to start the feed of strip, and meansfor resetting the switch to stop the strip feeding operation on completion of the feed of measured length of strip.

4. In a strip dispensing machine having strip feeding rolls, electric 'motor means for driving at least one of said rolls, electrically controlled means for drawing said rolls into gripping engagement with the strip and for releasing the same therefrom, said electrically controlled means including a resettable switch, an oscillatable control disk, a contact member on the control disk for actuating said resettable switch when the control disk is advanced, means for advancing the control disk proportionately to the movement of said strip feeding rolls when the strip is being fed, means for releasing the control disk from said advancing means when the rolls are separated so as to permit return of the control disk to an initial position, a backstop for limiting the return movement of the control disk, means for returning the 8 advancing means when the rolls are separated so as to permit return of the control disk to an initial position,

' an adjustable backstop for limiting return movement control disk, a cutter for cutting off a fed length of strip, 7

electrically controlled means for moving the cutter out of thepath of the strip while being fed and for moving the cutter across the strip path to sever the same after each feeding operation is completed, and a strip contact element for contacting the end of the piece of strip after it has been fed and cut off by the'cutter but before the cut-otf piece of strip has been removed from the machine, and a connection from said cutter to said strip contact element forrmoving the contact element out of the path of the strip when the cutter is moved out of the path of the strip and for permitting said contact element to come into contactwith the strip when the cutter is moved in a direction to sever the strip, and switch actuating means connected with said strip contact element and: settable when the switch contact element moves into contact with a pivoted supporting block, said block also having an arm associated with the cutter so that when the cutter moves in one direction it willpivot said block and lift said feeler hair out of the strip path and when the cutter moves into the direction to cut the tape it will release said block so as to end of the cut strip.

6. In a strip dispensing machine having a frame with upright side -wails,strip feeding rolls carried by shafts mounted. between said side walls, electric motor means for driving at leastone of said rolls, electrically controlled meanshfor drawing said rolls into gripping enpermt the feeler bar to engage the of the control disk, means for returning the control disk, a cuttermounted between said side walls for movement up and down across the path of strip feed, electrical means controlled by said resettable switch for causing said cutter to move across the strip path to sever the fed length of strip, means for moving said cutter out of the strip path before a subsequent feed of strip is initiated, and means for supporting the cut strip of tape in the machine until it is manually removed therefrom, a carrier block mounted between said side walls for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis, an arm carried by said carrier block for engagement by said cutter when the cutter is moved out of the path of the strip and released by said cutter when the same is moved in a direction to sever the strip, a feeler element carried by said block and lifted out of the path of the strip when the cutter is moved out of the path of the strip and coming into contact with the end of the severed strip when the cutter moves to sever the strip, and means for actuating said reset switch operatively connected with said feeler element and actuatable by movement of the feeler element to initiate the feed of the strip when the previously fed vstrip is removed from contact with said feeler element.

7. In a machine for dispensing strip material in measured lengths, intermittently acting strip dispensing means, electrical means including a resettable switch for starting and stopping the strip dispensing means, a feeler element, means for moving the feeler element out of the strip path while the strip is being fed and for permitting the feeler element to move into contact with the fed strip before the same has been withdrawn from the machine, means for moving said feeler element when said strip is withdrawn from the machine, connection means extending from said feeler element to said resettable switch for actuating the same to start the feed of strip when the piece of previously fed strip is removed from the machine, and means for resetting the switch to stop the strip feeding operation on completion of the feeding of a measured length of strip and simultaneously placing the machine in condition for another strip dispensing operation, said electrical means comprising circuitry including said resettable switch, a manually actuated switch and a three-position mode switch, said mode switch in one position including circuit elements controlled by movements of said feeler element, in the second position including circuit elements whereby action of the manual switch will initiate a strip feeding operation, and in a third position will cut out the connections from said feeler element so as to provide a simple manual control of strip feed during the period when said manual switch is held closed.

8. A machine for dispensing strip material in measured lengths, comprising a housing defining an opening for the dispensing of strip material, means adjacent the opening of said housing for supporting lengths of said strip material which have been severed at the interior of said housing, a pair of cooperable feed rollers for delivering strip material through the discharge opening of said housing, electric motor means for driving said feed rollers, a severing knife movable through the plane of said strip material for severing 'said strip material, a movable member supporting said severing knife for movement through a plane to cut the strip material and for return movement, said movable member being connected to at least one of said drive rollers for displacing said rollers out of a driving positionwhen said knife is moved downwardlyto cutrthe length of 'tape which has previously been fed by said rollers, a timing element movably mounted on said housing, drive means connected between said timing element'and at least one of said feed rollers fordriving'said timing element, means biasing said timing element against movement in a driving direction and for returning said driving element to a starting position after driving is completed, means actuated by movement of said timing means by a predetermined amount to deactivate said electric motor means and discontinue said drive and to cause movement of said movable member and dropping of said knife to sever said strip material, and feeler means including an element adapted to rest on the strip material which has been severed within said housing and being movable when said strip material is moved out of a location blocking its movement to activate said electric motor means, said feeler means including an element engageable with said knife and being displaceable thereby out of engagement with said strip when said knife is moved in a direction away from the direction of cutting said 10 strip, said knife being movable downwardly to present said feeler element on said strip when said knife is moved downwardly to sever the strip, and means actuated upon displacement of said feeler element when a strip is pulled 01f from said housing to activate said electric motor means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,919,652 7/33 Helsel 83-358 2,219,650 10/40 Helsel 83-358 2,405,790 8/46 Krueger 83-658 2,849,067 8/58 Krueger 83--358 WILLIAM W. DYER, 111., Primary Examiner.

CARL W. TOMLIN, Exa'miner. 

1. IN A MACHINE FOR DISPENSING STRIP MATERIAL IN MEASURED LENGTHS, INTERMITTENTLY ACTING STRIP DISPENSING MEANS, A FEELER ELEMENT FOR CONTACTING THE STRIP, A KNIFE FOR SEVERING THE STRIP MATERIAL MOVABLE IN ONE DIRECTION TO CONTACT SAID FEELER ELEMENT AND MOVE IT OUT OF THE STRIP PATH PRIOR TO THE FEEDING OF A NEW LENGTH OF STRIP, SAID KNIFE BEING MOVABLE IN AN OPPOSITE DIRECTION OUT OF CONTACT WITH SAID FEELER ELEMENT TO PERMIT IT TO COME INTO CONTACT WITH A PIECE OF STRIP AFTER IT HAS BEEN FED AND BEFORE IT IS WITHDRAWN FROM THE MACHINE, AND MEANS ACTUATED BY MOVEMENT OF THE FEELER ELEMENT WHEN THE PIECE OF STRIP WHICH IT HAS CONTACTED IS REMOVED FROM THE DISPENSER FOR INITIATING THE FEED OF ANOTHER LENGTH OF STRIP AND FOR MOVING SAID KNIFE. 